Category: All About Food

The Art of Potlucks; why potlucks are more than food!

1 Comment

In the calendar year I attend or host about 15-20 potlucks. Most are ok, some are great and very few are so engaging that having to end one leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

An assortment of food dishes at a church potluck.
An assortment of food dishes at a church potluck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most people view potlcuks as a mean to be frugal. Different occasions call for potlucks where the host can’t possible feed everyone at once, usually when the number of people are over 10. I see them as a great opportunity to practice hospitality. Many potlucks held at my place are either right after house church or some other Congregational event involving larger crowds like baptisms, birthdays and the like.

In my mind the responsibility falls on the host, the person whom house the event is happening at, unless there’s a party planner involved. If potlucks are not coordinated properly the table ends up with very similar dishes. Last Sunday 3 dishes had chicken drum sticks, luckily they were all different flavours. The host has the opportunity to address the guest before the day and direct the flow of food people will be bringing and dedicating specific people to bring specific things, i.e. such and such person can bring salad, others can bring refreshments, others dessert and so on. Furthermore, the host also has the opportunity to set the mood, plan games and start conversation pieces, setting the tone for the evening/afternoon. Opening your home is one the bravest and coolest thing you can do to practice hospitality. People will see how you prepare, live and treat those who you consider close and loved. In Roman’s 12 we are encouraged to practice hospitality, opening the doors of your house is inviting people to your world. People will see you for who you truly are, allowing them to come in our home places the host in a vulnerable position. Many people don’t open their homes unless they’re in immaculate shape, which of course is not likely if you have children.  I’m a huge believer in saying food brings people together. The camaraderie  and time spent in company allows people to share and get to know one another.

Good times are to be had in proper planned potlucks and get together’s.

Share with us your potluck stories?

Related articles

For The Love of October

2 Comments

October is the best month of the year. Not only do I get to celebrate my birthday, watch the Major League Baseball fall classic extravaganza,  bask in the crisp October weather. I also with much delight get to cook and enjoy  the world of squashes.

Winter Squash
Winter Squash (Photo credit: Suzies Farm)

 

I love me a good squash. Boiled with butter, spiced roasted, puréed, in soup, creamed, candied, baked in pies. Squashes are the hearth of fall, they represent the change of season and the long hard work of our farmers. The squash season is long and arduous. In order to grow one, one must plant them in early spring and allow them to receive ton of sun, God providing of course.

Many a recipes will surface on the internet, cooking shows or even your grandma’s recipe Rolodex for your favourite dishes, including the much dreaded Pumpkin Spiced Latte (YUCK!) (no wait double YUCK!). One of my favourite squash is the spaghetti squash. I love how it flakes into strings and can be moulded in any shape and flavoured deliciously since it has a very light and delicate taste. My other best squash is the butternut squash. It roasts really well and makes a great purée and soup, and how can I forget the vast realm of zucchinis? I have some squashes here, right now and I’m going to start cooking some for this evening.

 

What’s a squash recipe you love? 

 

 

Related articles